Thu Mar 20 07:54:30 UTC 2025: ## Ukrainian Drone Attack Sets Airfield Near Russian Bomber Base Ablaze
**Moscow, March 20, 2025** – A Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian town of Engels has resulted in a major fire at an airfield near the Engels Air Base, according to Russian officials and state media. The base houses Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers, approximately 700 kilometers from the Ukraine conflict frontline.
Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed a drone attack, stating that an airfield caught fire and nearby residents were evacuated. While he didn’t explicitly name the Engels base, it’s the region’s primary airfield. Unverified videos circulating on Russian Telegram channels depict a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky.
Russia’s defense ministry reported intercepting 132 Ukrainian drones across six southern regions, including 54 in the Saratov region where the Engels base is located. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
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